The budget smartphone game is tremendously competitive right now. Solid offerings from OnePlus, Honor, Alcatel, and others mean that you have plenty of options available if you're in the market to get a solid smartphone experience without spending a heap of cash. Asus has recently released a few offerings of their own into the budget arena, including the ZenFone 3 Laser, ZenFone 3 Deluxe, ZenFone 3 MAX, and ZenFone 3. That's already a lot of choice provided by one single OEM, but Asus doesn't appear to be done just quite yet. Another Asus-branded smartphone has just passed ...]]>NewsThu, 08 Dec 2016 11:21:00 -0600http://www.phonearena.com/news/Leaked-images-of-the-Asus-ZenFone-3-Zoom-showcase-an-iPhone-7-Plus-like-dual-camera-setup_id88819/commentsJoe M.Deal: Asus's OnHub router is now just $106 ($94 off its retail price)http://www.phonearena.com/news/Deal-Asuss-OnHub-router-is-now-just-106-94-off-its-retail-price_id88467Although routers may not be the most exciting gadgets around, they're absolutely necessary for high-speed Internet access for our phones and tablets. While there are plenty of different options to choose from depending your price range and needs, shopping for a new router isn't necessarily as easy or enjoyable as it is to shop around for a new mobile device. If you're looking to upgrade your home Internet setup and aren't sure what to buy, Amazon currently has a deal on the Asus OnHub router that should be perfect for a lot of people out there.

Following bank-breaking Black Friday madness, comes Cyber Monday to extend your shopping spree well beyond Thanksgiving week. But hey, good deals are good deals, and we sure don't like missing any! This time around the shopping will be done in the comfort of your home, so no crazy stampedes over at brick and mortar stores, no pushing around and fighting for the last unit of the smartphone you wanted to get so badly. Just clicking, and typing, and swiping. Today, we will be bringing you all the best Cyber Monday deals from the big online retailers and major carriers. So ...]]>NewsMon, 28 Nov 2016 05:59:00 -0600http://www.phonearena.com/news/Amazon-Cyber-Monday-deals-bonanza_id88339/commentsMilen Y.Deal: Unlocked Asus ZenFone Zoom now costs $199http://www.phonearena.com/news/Deal-Unlocked-Asus-ZenFone-Zoom-now-costs-199_id88329Released back in February in the US, the Asus ZenFone Zoom is an unusual smartphone, a it's offering a 13 MP rear camera with 3x optical zoom. As you probably know, apart from the iPhone 7 Plus (which has a rear camera with 2x optical zoom), there's no other new, or relatively new smartphone to feature optical zoom.

Originally priced at $399, the ZenFone Zoom can now be bought for just $199 via major US retailers (see the source links below). It looks like this deal ends in 4 days, so you may want to hurry up if you think you need a ZenFone Zoom at this price. The handset is unlocked, comes ...]]>NewsSun, 27 Nov 2016 20:24:00 -0600http://www.phonearena.com/news/Deal-Unlocked-Asus-ZenFone-Zoom-now-costs-199_id88329/commentsFlorin T.Asus ZenWatch 3 now in stock at B&Hhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenWatch-3-now-in-stock-at-B-H_id88236Last month, Asus listed its ZenWatch 3 as being available to order in the US for $229, but the smartwatch went out of stock in no time. While the wearable device is still out of stock at Asus, it can be bought from B&H, which asks $229.99 for it ($0.99 more than Asus). Right now, only one ZenWatch 3 model is available: Gunmetal Casing with Dark Brown Leather Band.

Unlike the original ZenWatch and the ZenWatch 2, the ZenWatch 3 sports a circular display (1.39-inch AMOLED, 400 x 400 pixels) and has a pretty cool, classic design. The smartwatch runs Android Wear, and is one of the world's ...]]>NewsThu, 24 Nov 2016 19:37:00 -0600http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenWatch-3-now-in-stock-at-B-H_id88236/commentsFlorin T.Asus cancels Zenfone 3 Deluxe's launch in Canada, standard model not coming to the UShttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-cancels-Zenfone-3-Deluxes-launch-in-Canada-standard-model-not-coming-to-the-US_id88240

Although Asus previously announced the Zenfone 3 Deluxe smartphone will be launched in Canada early this month, it looks like the Taiwanese company had a change of heart.

Canadian customers waiting for the Zenfone 3 Deluxe to arrive in their country should search for alternatives, as this particular model won't be coming anymore. Asus confirmed that the Zenfone 3 Deluxe launch in Canada has been canceled, but it did not offer any details on the reasons behind the decision.

In the same piece of news, Asus stated that while customers in the United States will ...]]>NewsThu, 24 Nov 2016 18:02:00 -0600http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-cancels-Zenfone-3-Deluxes-launch-in-Canada-standard-model-not-coming-to-the-US_id88240/commentsCosmin V.Affordable Asus ZenFone 3 Max now available in the US, 4100 mAh battery in towhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Affordable-Asus-ZenFone-3-Max-now-available-in-the-US-4100-mAh-battery-in-tow_id88080If you want a cheap smartphone that packs a generous battery, you may want to check out the Asus ZenFone 3 Max. Amazon just started selling the ZenFone Max for $149, US warranty and free shipping included. This is an unlocked handset that will work on AT&T and T-Mobile, but not on Verizon and Sprint.

Running Android 6.0 Marshmallow customized with Asus' Zen UI 3.0, the ZenFone 3 Max comes with a 4100 mAh battery that provides up to 20 hours of talk time, or up to 18 hours of Wi-Fi web browsing. You can even use this battery as a power bank to charge other devices via microUSB.

Amazon's Countdown to Black Friday Deals Week has been going on pretty much ever since the beginning of November, and it's already been home to some pretty solid offerings. One of the most notable ones thus far has been the Nextbit Robin for just $169.99, but if you're in the market for something with a camera setup that's a bit more impressive (and certainly a lot more unique), we've got a feeling you might be interested in this deal.

As part of their Countdown to Black Friday promotion, Amazon is offering $150 off of the Asus ZenFone Zoom. This brings ...]]>NewsMon, 14 Nov 2016 18:09:00 -0600http://www.phonearena.com/news/Deal-Amazon-is-selling-the-Asus-ZenFone-Zoom-for-249-150-off_id87757/commentsJoe M.Asus to unveil Tango-enabled smartphone ZenFone AR at CES 2017http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-to-unveil-Tango-enabled-smartphone-ZenFone-AR-at-CES-2017_id87743

Asus has a Google Tango-enabled AR smartphone under wraps that will be unveiled at next year's CES, in Las Vegas. This has been confirmed by Asustek CEO Jerry Shen for Korean publication DigiTimes.

The upcoming smartphone, called ZenFone AR, will be powered by Google's augmented reality platform Tango and will launch sometime next year “at a competitive price”, Shen said. Not much else is known about the phone at this point, apart from the fact that it will have to meet some hardware requirements in order to support Tango. The platform requires a variety of sensors ...]]>NewsMon, 14 Nov 2016 09:37:00 -0600http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-to-unveil-Tango-enabled-smartphone-ZenFone-AR-at-CES-2017_id87743/commentsMilen Y.Asus ZenWatch 3 not available now in the U.S., but it can be purchased in Canadahttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenWatch-3-not-available-now-in-the-U.S.-but-it-can-be-purchased-in-Canada_id87714The results of the recently held U.S. presidential election left many unhappy voters thinking about leaving the country and moving to Canada. As it turns out, there are other reasons for those in the states to head up north besides escaping the clutches of President-Elect Donald Trump. Yes, we're talking about the Android Wear powered Asus ZenWatch 3. The smartwatch sold out on Asus' U.S. website last month and stocks have yet to be replenished. However, the timepiece can now be purchased from Best Buy Canada.

Carrying a circular dial, the ZenWatch 3 carries a Gorilla Glass 3 protected 1.39-inch ...]]>NewsSun, 13 Nov 2016 22:32:00 -0600http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenWatch-3-not-available-now-in-the-U.S.-but-it-can-be-purchased-in-Canada_id87714/commentsAlan F.Ultra-thin Asus ZenPad 3S 10 coming soon to the US, possibly for $299http://www.phonearena.com/news/Ultra-thin-Asus-ZenPad-3S-10-coming-soon-to-the-US-possibly-for-299_id87268Asus today announced that it's ready to launch its ZenPad 3S 10 tablet in the US. The company says the slate is arriving "this month", but we're pretty sure that this actually means sometime in November, since October - this month - is ending today.

Already available to buy in some European and Asian markets, the Asus ZenPad 3S 10 has a premium design - thanks to a 5.8mm-thin aluminum body and a 78% screen-to-body ratio. The tablet can be seen as a more affordable alternative to the Apple iPad Air, not just because of its premium look, but also because it sports a similar a 9.7-inch IPS ...]]>NewsMon, 31 Oct 2016 19:00:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Ultra-thin-Asus-ZenPad-3S-10-coming-soon-to-the-US-possibly-for-299_id87268/commentsFlorin T.Asus ZenWatch 3 now available in the US, Snapdragon Wear 2100 and quick charging on boardhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenWatch-3-now-available-in-the-US-Snapdragon-Wear-2100-and-quick-charging-on-board_id87263

Update: The ZenWatch 3 is now listed as "teporarily out of stock" over at Asus' website.

If you're looking to buy a new Android Wear smartwatch, we're happy to inform you that Asus is now selling its ZenWatch 3 in the US (earlier than initially expected). The new wearable device can be ordered as of today via Asus' official website, being priced at $229.

At the moment, Asus is offering only one version of the ZenWatch 3 - with a dark brown leather strap. Retailer B&H is also listing the same version of the device, but it says it can only ship it in mid November.

Announced ...]]>NewsMon, 31 Oct 2016 15:42:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenWatch-3-now-available-in-the-US-Snapdragon-Wear-2100-and-quick-charging-on-board_id87263/commentsFlorin T.Asus is working on an ultra-powerful and ridiculously overpriced Chromebookhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-is-working-on-an-ultra-powerful-and-ridiculously-overpriced-Chromebook_id86871Among all of the different types of devices currently out there in the mobile landscape, one of the most peculiar ones is the Chromebook. Google's take on the laptop is certainly that of an interesting one, but the interest and want for these gadgets seems to be at an all-time low. We recently got word on a new Chromebook that Samsung is working on, and in the latest leak that's surfaced, it would appear that Asus is looking to reenter the Chromebook game as well.

The new device goes by the name of the Chromebook C302CA, and it looks to be yet another Chromebook from Asus that ...]]>NewsFri, 21 Oct 2016 08:23:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-is-working-on-an-ultra-powerful-and-ridiculously-overpriced-Chromebook_id86871/commentsJoe M.Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe sold out in the U.S., next shipments arrive on October 26http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-Zenfone-3-Deluxe-sold-out-in-the-U.S.-next-shipments-arrive-on-October-26_id86701

If you've been trying to get your hands on the Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe in the United States and found it very hard to order one, then you might not be the only one.

Asus opened pre-orders for the Zenfone 3 Deluxe smartphones in the United States earlier this month and confirmed they will start shipping on October 12. However, if you want to pre-order one from Asus' online store you will have to wait for your smartphone to arrive until the last week of October.

The Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe with 4GB RAM and 5.5-inch display is available for pre-order now, but it ...]]>NewsTue, 18 Oct 2016 09:28:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-Zenfone-3-Deluxe-sold-out-in-the-U.S.-next-shipments-arrive-on-October-26_id86701/commentsCosmin V.Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe coming to Canada in early November, priced at $699.99http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-Zenfone-3-Deluxe-coming-to-Canada-in-early-November-priced-at-699.99_id86692

Asus has already introduced the Zenfone 3 Deluxe in the United States, but Canadian customers will have to wait a few more weeks before being able to order one.

The handset maker recently confirmed that the Zenfone 3 Deluxe won't be available in Canada until early November. The smartphone will cost $699.99 CAD ($535 USD) and it will be available at major retailers across the country, including Best Buy, Canada Computers, Memory Express, NCIX, Newegg and Staples.

It's unclear whether or not the smartphone will be available in multiple colors, but for the time ...]]>NewsTue, 18 Oct 2016 01:50:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-Zenfone-3-Deluxe-coming-to-Canada-in-early-November-priced-at-699.99_id86692/commentsCosmin V.The Asus ZenWatch 3 will be landing in November for $229http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-Asus-ZenWatch-3-will-be-landing-in-November-for-229_id86281If you're a fan of Android Wear, the latter half of 2016 hasn't been the greatest time for you. Between the announcement that we wouldn't be seeing any flagship Android Wear watches for the rest of the year and Google's decision to push the Android Wear 2.0 update back into early 2017, things certainly haven't been looking the brightest. The rest of 2016 was looking to be a head-to-head competition between the Apple Watch Series 2 and the Samsung Gear S3, but don't count Android Wear out just yet for the year. Asus has finally released pricing and availability info for the ZenWatch 3, and although ...]]>NewsThu, 06 Oct 2016 22:06:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-Asus-ZenWatch-3-will-be-landing-in-November-for-229_id86281/commentsJoe M.Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe now up for pre-order in the U.S.; prices start at $399http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-Zenfone-3-Deluxe-now-up-for-pre-order-in-the-U.S.-prices-start-at-399_id86261

Last month Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe and Laser briefly went on pre-order at Amazon, but the retailer removed the smartphones after a short while without providing customers with details on why it took that decision.

Fast forward less than three weeks and it looks like both smartphones are now available for pre-order. Customers in the United States can now pre-order the ZenFone 3 Deluxe and ZenFone 3 Laser, but the phones aren't listed on Amazon anymore.

If you want to get either of the two phones, then you will have to pre-order them from Asus's online store. ...]]>NewsThu, 06 Oct 2016 13:46:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-Zenfone-3-Deluxe-now-up-for-pre-order-in-the-U.S.-prices-start-at-399_id86261/commentsCosmin V.The ASUS ZenPad Z10 LTE-connected Android tablet is coming to Verizonhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/The-ASUS-ZenPad-Z10-LTE-connected-Android-tablet-is-coming-to-Verizon_id86255

U.S. carrier Verizon has added a new exclusive device to its roster, the LTE-A connected ASUS ZenPad Z10 tablet. A nicely spec'd out piece of Android hardware, the ZenPad Z10 features a 9.7-inch, 2K resolution screen and is housed in a metal body. It's powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 chipset that features a six-core CPU and the Adreno 510 graphics unit for adequate everyday performance. It also packs 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage.

The 2K screen boasts ASUS VisualMaster technology to optimize its properties depending on usage case, automatically choosing the best ...]]>NewsThu, 06 Oct 2016 12:30:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-ASUS-ZenPad-Z10-LTE-connected-Android-tablet-is-coming-to-Verizon_id86255/commentsLuis D.Samsung was the top smartphone manufacturer in Taiwan last monthhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-was-the-top-smartphone-manufacturer-in-Taiwan-last-month_id86012Overall, smartphone shipments in Taiwan during August rose 7% sequentially, according to local retail channels. In terms of raw numbers, that works out to 663,000 handsets shipped in the month, up 44,000 from July's figure. Care to guess which manufacturer was on top? We can tell you that this brand led the way in smartphone sales volume and sales value during August, and was Samsung.

Following Samsung on the list, based on sales volume, was Asus. HTC finished third with Apple fourth. Sony and Oppo were fifth and sixth, respectively. Since Apple's phones are comparatively expensive, in terms ...]]>NewsFri, 30 Sep 2016 04:27:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Samsung-was-the-top-smartphone-manufacturer-in-Taiwan-last-month_id86012/commentsAlan F.Deal: grab the slick Asus ZenWatch 2 with metallic band for $129.99 ($70 off)http://www.phonearena.com/news/Deal-grab-the-slick-Asus-ZenWatch-2-with-metallic-band-for-129.99-70-off_id85794The short life cycles of our beloved gadgets is something of a double-edged sword. From one aspect, it means that we're essentially always chasing; no sooner does a device roll out than we switch attention to what's next. This conveyor belt of new releases also works in our favor, though, since rapid ageing of gadgets amounts to sharp price reductions. This time last year, Asus rolled out the ZenWatch 2 and thus, the company's original wearable shaved a sizeable chunk off its price. Now, with the ZenWatch 3 being the latest and greatest, the ZenWatch 2 gets to enjoy a similarly heavy discount.

While Asus hasn't properly announced this, the ZenFone 3 Deluxe and ZenFone 3 Laser are now available to order from Amazon in the US. Both handsets come with 1-year US warranty, are unlocked, and should ship "within 2 to 5 weeks."

Costing $530.48, the Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe is a pretty large metal-made handset that sports a 5.7-inch 1080p display and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It looks like ...]]>NewsThu, 22 Sep 2016 19:23:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenFone-3-Deluxe-and-ZenFone-3-Laser-now-available-to-order-from-Amazon_id85738/commentsFlorin T.Asus Zenfone 3 goes on pre-order in Canada for $429.99http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-Zenfone-3-goes-on-pre-order-in-Canada-for-429.99_id85730One of the high-profile smartphones unveiled in Q2 that hasn't been yet released in Canada, Asus Zenfone 3 is now available for pre-order.

Although Asus Canada has yet to announce an official release date for the Zenfone 3, the smartphone is finally up for pre-order in the country. Customers will have to pay $429.99 for the Zenfone 3, but it's unclear when it will ship.

It's also worth mentioning the smartphone is available in two color options: dark blue and white. All in all, let's hope Asus Canada will soon have more info on when exactly the Zenfone 3 will hit shelves in the country.

Until ...]]>NewsThu, 22 Sep 2016 14:44:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-Zenfone-3-goes-on-pre-order-in-Canada-for-429.99_id85730/commentsCosmin V.Asus releases two videos for the ZenFone 3 serieshttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-releases-two-videos-for-the-ZenFone-3-series_id85355Asus released a couple of promotional videos on Monday for the Asus ZenFone 3 series. This includes the Asus ZenFone 3, ZenFone 3 Deluxe, and the ZenFone 3 Ultra. The first video, with the tag line "Incredible Is Now," doesn't seem to really tell us anything about the phones, but does tell us that the owner of the phone isn't good at poetry, music, or sports. Maybe the point of the video went over our head, but we don't get it.

"The ZenFone 3 series was designed from the ground up to achieve photo perfection," says the voice over announcer during the second video. We learn about the 23MP ...]]>NewsTue, 13 Sep 2016 00:08:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-releases-two-videos-for-the-ZenFone-3-series_id85355/commentsAlan F.Snapdragon 821-powered ASUS ZenFone 3 Deluxe launches in Taiwan at a hefty pricehttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Snapdragon-821-powered-ASUS-ZenFone-3-Deluxe-launches-in-Taiwan-at-a-hefty-price_id85249

The ASUS ZenFone 3 has become the world's first Snapdragon 821-powered smartphone to make it to the market. The model is now on sale in ASUS' homeland of Taiwan at the rather fortuitous price of near $800 (5320 Yuan). The ZenFone 3 Deluxe is sold in Silver and Gold finishes, and while the former will ship September 12, the latter is scheduled for September 23.

Interestingly, the ZenFone 3 Deluxe was also the first handset to be announced sporting Qualcomm's upgraded flagship silicon. This happened over two months ago, and in that time, no other manufacturer stepped forth to announce ...]]>NewsFri, 09 Sep 2016 03:01:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Snapdragon-821-powered-ASUS-ZenFone-3-Deluxe-launches-in-Taiwan-at-a-hefty-price_id85249/commentsLuis D.Asus ZenWatch 3 hands-on: a thing of beautyhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenWatch-3-hands-on-a-thing-of-beauty_id84771

Whether you're a fan of smartwatches or not, chances are you'll agree with us on this – the Asus ZenWatch 3 is a thing of beauty. In case you've missed the news, that is the company's latest smartwatch. It is powered by a Qualcomm processor and it runs on Google's Android Wear platform, just like the previous two ZenWatch timepieces. Unlike them, however, the new model features a gorgeous circular display, and that's far from the only thing that makes it draw one's attention.

Asus was one of the first companies to invite the press to its event in Berlin a day before IFA 2016, one of the largest tech expos of the year even starts.

What it showed was mostly things we've already seen (it provided European prices and release dates for its tablets and laptops), but there was also one thing that was brand new: the Asus Zenwatch 3.

The Zenwatch 3 feels stylish and luxurious in a way that a regular person would appreciateAsus has been continuously improving its design efforts lately, and it shows in the Zenwatch ...]]>NewsWed, 31 Aug 2016 12:14:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-Zenwatch-3-video-demo-of-Asus-first-round-smartwatch_id84781/commentsVictor H.Asus intros the ZenPad 3S 10, a new Android tablet to rival the iPad Airhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-intros-the-ZenPad-3S-10-a-new-Android-tablet-to-rival-the-iPad-Air_id84764Update: The Asus ZenPad 3S 10 will cost EUR 379 at launch, which translates to roughly $422.

At a pre-IFA 2016 event today, Asus unveiled the ZenPad 3S 10 ‏(model number Z500M), a brand new Android tablet that will try to take on Apple's iPad Air 2.

Made out of aluminum, the Asus ZenPad 3S 10 weighs 430 grams, is 5.8 mm thin, and - just like the iPad Air - sports a 9.7-inch IPS display with 1536 x 2048 pixels. Thanks to what Asus is calling "the world’s thinnest bezel at only 5.32 mm" (we'll have to check that), the ZenPad 3S 10 offers a 78% screen-to-body ratio. For those wondering, ...]]>NewsWed, 31 Aug 2016 08:41:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-intros-the-ZenPad-3S-10-a-new-Android-tablet-to-rival-the-iPad-Air_id84764/commentsFlorin T.The Asus ZenWatch 3 is here: slim and stylish design, round displayhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/The-Asus-ZenWatch-3-is-here-slim-and-stylish-design-round-display_id84758A few minutes ago at IFA 2016 in Berlin, the Asus ZenWatch 3 became official. As previous rumors and leaks have suggested, the ZenWatch 3 is the Asus smartwatch to feature a round display.

Right of the bat, the most notable thing about the Asus ZenWatch 3, at least when comparing the new smartwatch to its predecessors, is the inclusion of a round display. Previous ZenWatches used a square-like form with rounded corners. This time around, however, the pebble form factor has been replaced by a more stylish design that’s inspired by the look of traditional analog timepieces. Adding to this ...]]>NewsWed, 31 Aug 2016 07:13:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-Asus-ZenWatch-3-is-here-slim-and-stylish-design-round-display_id84758/commentsMihai A.Asus ZenFone 2 finally receives Android 6 Marshmallowhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenFone-2-finally-receives-Android-6-Marshmallow_id84730It was well back in November of 2015 that Asus confirmed it's working on an Android 6 Marshmallow update for the Zenfone 2 — a midranger with its own devoted following for its mix of design, performance, and price. Time passed, Google released Android 7 Nougat, but the update was nowhere to be seen. Well, today, Asus finally began pushing the promised Marshmallow update out.

Zenfone 2 owners will now be able to enjoy features like granular app permissions, Doze mode, smarter text selection, and — hopefully — flex storage. Additionally, a large number of stock (“bloatware”) apps will be removed, ...]]>NewsWed, 31 Aug 2016 04:57:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenFone-2-finally-receives-Android-6-Marshmallow_id84730/commentsPaul K.Asus teases IFA event: "Incredible is coming"http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-teases-IFA-event-Incredible-is-coming_id84222

Asus, the company that proclaims that it is 'in search of incredible', will hold an important event at one of the largest tech expos of the year, IFA 2016.

Asus is telling the world that 'incredible is coming' in this teaser for its IFA 2016 keynote that is scheduled for August 31st.

The teaser is your generic picture of our planet with the sun on the horizon, suggesting something big is about to happen. Will it be a new family of Zenfones, a tablet or a smartwatch? Or how about a combination of all those things, or something ...]]>NewsWed, 17 Aug 2016 08:40:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-teases-IFA-event-Incredible-is-coming_id84222/commentsVictor H.Leaked Asus ZenWatch 3 photos confirm round displayhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Leaked-Asus-ZenWatch-3-photos-confirm-round-display_id84119A couple of days ago, we showed you the circular shape of the FCC label designed for the Asus ZenWatch 3. As we pointed out at the time, the shape of the label would seem to be a good clue telling us that the Android Wear powered smartwatch will be carrying a round display. Both the Asus ZenWatch and Asus ZenWatch 2 were equipped with a square screen.

As it turns out, the label was exactly right as leaked photos of the Asus ZenWatch 3 show that it does indeed offer a round display. The photos were leaked today from the NCC, which is China's National Communications Commission. The agency ...]]>NewsFri, 12 Aug 2016 20:35:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Leaked-Asus-ZenWatch-3-photos-confirm-round-display_id84119/commentsAlan F.Asus ZenFone 3 Laser promo video showcases the phone's strengthshttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenFone-3-Laser-promo-video-showcases-the-phones-strengths_id84060

Last month, Asus officially announced two new members of its ZenFone family of smartphones: the ZenFone 3 Max and ZenFone 3 Laser. While both are already available in a limited number of Asian countries (for under $300), they're yet to be released globally. However, the ZenFone 3 Laser will likely make it to more markets in the near future, as Asus is now promoting it in a video posted via its global YouTube channel.

The video - embedded above - shows off some of the main selling points of the Asus ZenFone 3 Laser, starting with its 13 MP rear camera that benefits ...]]>NewsThu, 11 Aug 2016 04:19:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenFone-3-Laser-promo-video-showcases-the-phones-strengths_id84060/commentsFlorin T.The upcoming Asus ZenWatch 3 will feature a circular displayhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/The-upcoming-Asus-ZenWatch-3-will-feature-a-circular-display_id84038Asus, which was one of the first tech companies to jump onboard the Android Wear train, is apparently getting ready to unveil its first smartwatch with a circular display. How do know this? No, no magic ball involved in this prediction. Instead, Ausdroid has recently spotted the Asus ZenWatch 3 making the rounds in the FCC database.

Both the original Asus ZenWatch and the ZenWatch 2 adopted a square form factor with rounded edges that made the two wearables look a lot like pebbles. With the upcoming ZenWatch 3, however, it looks like Asus is planning to launch its first smartwatch ...]]>NewsWed, 10 Aug 2016 08:22:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-upcoming-Asus-ZenWatch-3-will-feature-a-circular-display_id84038/commentsMihai A.Asus unveils the ZenPad 3 8.0 tablet, similar to Verizon's ZenPad Z8http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-unveils-the-ZenPad-3-8.0-tablet-similar-to-Verizons-ZenPad-Z8_id83729

Back in May, we told you about the Asus ZenPad Z8 tablet that was made for Verizon. The slate is priced at $149.99 with a signed two-year pact, or $100 more if purchased outright. Big Red customers can also pay using an installment plan which works out to $10.41 a month over 24 months. The tablet is powered by a Snapdragon 650 chipset and runs with 2GB of RAM inside.

Today, Asus unveiled another tablet that is similar to the ZenPad Z8 in many ways. The Asus ZenPad 3 8.0 is equipped with a 7.9-inch LCD screen carrying a 1536 x 2048 resolution. The Snapdragon 650 SoC is under the hood ...]]>NewsMon, 01 Aug 2016 21:42:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-unveils-the-ZenPad-3-8.0-tablet-similar-to-Verizons-ZenPad-Z8_id83729/commentsAlan F.New Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe promo video showcases the phone's design and featureshttp://www.phonearena.com/news/New-Asus-ZenFone-3-Deluxe-promo-video-showcases-the-phones-design-and-features_id83624

Asus this week released a new promo video to showcase the ZenFone 3 Deluxe, its most powerful smartphone to date. The video, which can be watched above, reminds us that the ZenFone 3 Deluxe uses an all metal construction (with the "world's first invisible antenna design"), and has a version that's powered by Qualcomm's brand new Snapdragon 821 processor (being the first very handset to use this CPU). Also presented are features like the phone's fingerprint scanner, its Full HD AMOLED display, and its 23 MP rear camera with optical image stabilization.

Essentially, we're looking at budget smartphones that aim to offer relatively advanced performance in terms of battery life and image quality.

The two new variations in the Zenfone 3 series follow the standard Asus Zenfone 3, the Zenfone 3 Deluxe, and the Zenfone 3 Ultra, models that Asus unveiled back in May.

From the looks of it, Asus has remained consistent in its naming scheme. Like their predecessors, the two new phones are reimagined ...]]>NewsThu, 14 Jul 2016 13:29:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-new-Asus-Zenfone-3-Max-and-Zenfone-3-Laser-focus-on-battery-and-camera-performance_id83184/commentsMihai A.Apple sued over 'fast-charge' feature on Apple iPhone 6shttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Apple-sued-over-fast-charge-feature-on-Apple-iPhone-6s_id83122A company called Somaltus LLC has filed a suit against Apple in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Texas. The company claims that the fast- charge technology used on the Apple iPhone 6s and "any similar device" sold by Apple, infringes on a 2010 patent belonging to Somaltus. With the fast-charge system on the iPhone 6s, charging speeds are maximized when the battery inside the phone drops under 80% capacity; above that level, the charger switches to a slower trickle charge.

Yesterday, we told you that Qualcomm had officially introduced the Snapdragon 821 chipset. The changes are minor as this is to be considered an interim chipset offering minor improvements until the Snapdragon 830 chipset is released. Produced using the same 14nm process as the Snapdragon 820 SoC, the Snapdragon 821 continues to employ the quad-core Kryo cores. The high performance cores will run at a maximum clock speed of 2.4GHz as opposed to 2.2GHz on the SD-820. On the low-performance cores, the increase in maximum clock speed is a heftier 25% from 1.6GHz to 2.0GHz.

This morning, ...]]>NewsTue, 12 Jul 2016 01:27:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Top-of-the-line-Asus-ZenFone-3-Deluxe-to-be-the-first-phone-powered-by-the-Snapdragon-821-SoC_id83087/commentsAlan F.Specs of unknown Asus handset listed on GFXBench; is this a lower priced version of the ZenFone 3?http://www.phonearena.com/news/Specs-of-unknown-Asus-handset-listed-on-GFXBench-is-this-a-lower-priced-version-of-the-ZenFone-3_id82926An unknown Asus smartphone has gone through the GFXBench benchmark test and as a result, some of the mystery phone's specs were revealed. The handset, the Asus Z01B, will feature a 5.5-inch display with a 1080 x 1920 resolution. A Snapdragon 435 chipset is under the hood carrying an octa-core 1.4GHz CPU, and the Adreno 505 GPU. 2GB of RAM is inside along with 32GB of native storage.

The camera combo from back to front appears to weigh in at 12MP/8MP, and Android 6.0.1 is pre-installed. There is some speculation ...]]>NewsTue, 05 Jul 2016 22:21:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Specs-of-unknown-Asus-handset-listed-on-GFXBench-is-this-a-lower-priced-version-of-the-ZenFone-3_id82926/commentsAlan F.Moto G4 Plus vs OnePlus 3 vs Asus ZenFone 3: specs comparisonhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Moto-G4-Plus-vs-OnePlus-3-vs-Asus-ZenFone-3-specs-comparison_id82735Now that the Motorola Moto G4 Plus is officially available to pre-order in the US (before its July 12 launch), and we know how much it costs, it's a good time for us to compare the handset with two of its possible rivals: the OnePlus 3, and the Asus ZenFone 3.

The Moto G4 Plus, OnePlus 3, and Asus ZenFone 3 have quite a few things in common, starting with the fact that they're made for people who don't want to spend more than $400 on a new, unlocked smartphone. All three devices offer 5.5-inch 1080p displays, fingerprint scanners, 16 MP rear cameras, and 3000 mAh batteries. All have at ...]]>NewsWed, 29 Jun 2016 22:47:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Moto-G4-Plus-vs-OnePlus-3-vs-Asus-ZenFone-3-specs-comparison_id82735/commentsFlorin T.Asus ZenFone 3, ZenFone 3 Deluxe, and ZenFone 3 Ultra to be released in Julyhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenFone-3-ZenFone-3-Deluxe-and-ZenFone-3-Ultra-to-be-released-in-July_id82692Last month, Asus unveiled three brand new smartphones: ZenFone 3, ZenFone 3 Deluxe, and ZenFone 3 Ultra. While the company announced their prices, it didn't say when the handsets would be released. However, we now know that all three of them are expected to be launched on July 12 in Taiwan. According to Taiwanese website ePrice, this is an official release date revealed by Asus.

The new ZenFones run Android 6.0 Marshmallow customized with Asus' own ZenUI, and, unlike last year's ZenFone 2 phones, they feature fingerprint scanners, and are powered by Qualcomm processors (instead of Intel-made ...]]>NewsTue, 28 Jun 2016 23:17:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenFone-3-ZenFone-3-Deluxe-and-ZenFone-3-Ultra-to-be-released-in-July_id82692/commentsFlorin T.Asus ZenUI Launcher now available for most Android phones (running Android 4.3 or newer)http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenUI-Launcher-now-available-for-most-Android-phones-running-Android-4.3-or-newer_id82687If you own an Android smartphone that runs Android 4.3 or later, and you want to try out a new launcher, you can now get Asus' ZenUI - which, until recently, was seen only on Asus ZenFone handsets and tablets. ZenUI is available as a free download, and you can get it via Google Play (check out the source link at the end of this article).

ZenUI is highly customizable: you can change icons, effects, fonts, and so on, and there are various free themes that you can download from Asus. Overall, the launcher is pretty fluid and fast, but it's not as simple and straightforward as, say, Google Now ...]]>NewsTue, 28 Jun 2016 17:25:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenUI-Launcher-now-available-for-most-Android-phones-running-Android-4.3-or-newer_id82687/commentsFlorin T.The best dual-SIM phones you can get right now in the US (July 2016)http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-best-dual-SIM-phones-you-can-get-right-now-in-the-US-July-2016_id82616

Join us as we take a look at the state of the US smartphone market to uncover the best dual-SIM phones that money can currently buy!

Although dual-SIM phones have reached mainstream status in Asia and Europe, the major wireless carriers in the US do not sell phones with dual-SIM capabilities, which has led a scarcity of dual-SIM handsets being offered to US customers.

As it turns out, however, some of the world's best dual-SIM phones have made their way to US shores. Furthermore, some of the newer unlocked phones come with dual-SIM functionality.

Samsung Galaxy S7 edgeIf ...]]>NewsSun, 26 Jun 2016 23:58:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-best-dual-SIM-phones-you-can-get-right-now-in-the-US-July-2016_id82616/commentsMihai A.Chromebook Android app support starts rolling outhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Chromebook-Android-app-support-starts-rolling-out_id82330As the lines between device types fade, and technological improvements mean that today's tablet can easily run circles around the full-blown laptop of yesteryear, will we continue to see a split between “mobile” operating systems and those typically reserved for more general-purpose computers? Discussions about platform mergers run rampant, but so far we've yet to see the joining of systems like iOS and macOS, or Android and Chrome OS. And while those latter two may remain distinct for the time being, last month we got some big news about the walls that stand between them beginning to buckle a ...]]>NewsFri, 17 Jun 2016 10:22:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Chromebook-Android-app-support-starts-rolling-out_id82330/commentsStephen S.Verizon unveils the Asus Zenfone Z8, an attractive Android tablet for multimedia consumptionhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Verizon-unveils-the-Asus-Zenfone-Z8-an-attractive-Android-tablet-for-multimedia-consumption_id82290Verizon has announced that it will be exclusively offering the Asus Zenfone Z8, a compact Android tablet made with multimedia consumption in mind.

With global tablet sales on a constant decline in the past few years, we haven't seen too many upper-end Android slabs being released in the US as of late. As such, the Asus Zenpad Z8 is a breath of fresh air in a shrinking market, even if its availability is limited to Big Red's subscribers.

The Zenpad Z8 comes with a 7.9-inch IPS display running at 2048 by 1536 pixels. The display has a PPI of 324, a level of sharpness that makes a lot ...]]>NewsThu, 16 Jun 2016 13:40:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Verizon-unveils-the-Asus-Zenfone-Z8-an-attractive-Android-tablet-for-multimedia-consumption_id82290/commentsMihai A.The new Asus Zenfone Pegasus 3 is an affordable Android 6.0 Marshmallow phone with a metal bodyhttp://www.phonearena.com/news/The-new-Asus-Zenfone-Pegasus-3-is-an-affordable-Android-6.0-Marshmallow-phone-with-a-metal-body_id82250

A few weeks ago, Asus took the wraps off its new Zenfone 3 series by announcing the Zenfone 3, the Zenfone 3 Deluxe, and the Zenfone 3 Ultra. Now the Asus Zenfone 3 series has a new member. Meet the Asus Zenfone Pegasus 3, a budget smartphone with promising specs.

Before we get to the details of the Asus Zenfone Pegasus 3, it's worth pointing out that the handset will be priced at CNY 1,300 (the equivalent of $200 at the current conversion rates) in China, the first market where Asus plans to launch the smartphone. The standard version of the Zenfone 3, which the ...]]>NewsWed, 15 Jun 2016 17:40:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-new-Asus-Zenfone-Pegasus-3-is-an-affordable-Android-6.0-Marshmallow-phone-with-a-metal-body_id82250/commentsMihai A.Asus ZenFone Max and ZenFone 2 Laser receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow updateshttp://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenFone-Max-and-ZenFone-2-Laser-receive-Android-6.0-Marshmallow-updates_id81953Earlier this year, Asus promised that some of its smartphones would be updated to Android 6.0 Marshmallow before the end of the second quarter (aka the end of June). Well, we're happy to inform you that three ZenFone handsets are already getting their Marshmallow updates over the air. We're talking about the ZenFone 2 Laser 5-inch (model number ZE500KL), ZenFone 2 Laser 5.5-inch (model number ZE550KL), and ZenFone Max (model number ZC550KL).

Not only that the update brings all the features included in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but it also removes some pre-installed apps (you can call that ...]]>NewsWed, 08 Jun 2016 14:47:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Asus-ZenFone-Max-and-ZenFone-2-Laser-receive-Android-6.0-Marshmallow-updates_id81953/commentsFlorin T.Another new extra-fast Snapdragon chip leaks - could it be on smartphones soon?http://www.phonearena.com/news/Another-new-extra-fast-Snapdragon-chip-leaks---could-it-be-on-smartphones-soon_id81922Earlier today we were talking about the super-fast smartphone processors that are about to follow in the wake of the current king of the jungle, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820. While nothing beyond the 820 is official just yet, early evidence has already pointed to work on a few follow-ups, and in particular we were looking at the Snapdragon 823 – a chip that doesn't stray too far from the 820 itself, basically operating at a slightly higher speed. Now we're hearing what might be another of these upcoming 820 siblings, as a leak suggests that Asus could be releasing an alternate version of its new Zenfone ...]]>NewsTue, 07 Jun 2016 18:57:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Another-new-extra-fast-Snapdragon-chip-leaks---could-it-be-on-smartphones-soon_id81922/commentsStephen S.Rare breeds: Dual SIM phones with separate microSD card slot (no hybrid SIM tray)http://www.phonearena.com/news/Rare-breeds-Dual-SIM-phones-with-separate-microSD-card-slot-no-hybrid-SIM-tray_id81795

Not too long ago, dual-SIM smartphones were a rare breed. On top of that, the few models that existed were unexciting, bland in design, and had just enough processing power to not be mistaken for a potato. Demand picked up, however, which explains why today's smartphone market offers a much broader selection of dual-SIM handsets – from cheap, entry-level phones to top-tier brands' flagships.

Alas, dual-SIM phones come with their downsides. One is that they often employ the so-called hybrid SIM card trays – trays where the secondary SIM card slot doubles ...]]>NewsSun, 05 Jun 2016 19:56:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/Rare-breeds-Dual-SIM-phones-with-separate-microSD-card-slot-no-hybrid-SIM-tray_id81795/commentsNick T.The Asus ZenPouch is a waterproof carry bag for almost any smartphonehttp://www.phonearena.com/news/The-Asus-ZenPouch-is-a-waterproof-carry-bag-for-almost-any-smartphone_id81781As you may know, Asus' Zen brand includes not just smartphones (the ZenFone family), but also tablets (ZenPad), smartwatches (ZenWatch), and even portable battery chargers (ZenPower). This week, Asus announced yet another Zen product: the ZenPouch - a waterproof, easy-carry pouch made for smartphones (regardless of brand).

The ZenPouch is made out of nylon and TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane), and is IPX8-certified, which means it can protect your smartphone for unlimited amounts of time in wet environments, or under water (though it's not advisable to go beyond 1 meter under water). The ...]]>NewsThu, 02 Jun 2016 13:27:00 -0500http://www.phonearena.com/news/The-Asus-ZenPouch-is-a-waterproof-carry-bag-for-almost-any-smartphone_id81781/commentsFlorin T.